Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas by Bartlett, Gerry (white hot kiss TXT) 📕

from my waitress garb to regular shorts and a t-shirt. I wore sandals now too. I felt comfortable, which probably had been the wrong choice. Jerry looked like he could afford the best of everything, including women.

“Boss me around and see how I take it.” He kissed me until my toes curled. Then he put me away from him. “We were talking about business, weren’t we?”

“I think so.” I had a hard time concentrating on anything but him, this vibrant male, when he was around me. No, I had to focus. Jeremiah, no, Jerry, was a brilliant businessman who had a lot of advice to offer and he was willing to help, not take over for a change.

“Right.” He walked around the empty break room. It was a mess but I knew a cleaning crew would be in during the day to throw away trash and wipe down surfaces covered in that glittery fairy dust Mae used on the dancers. It was everywhere.

“I’m usually the one taking orders.” I couldn’t stand it. I threw away a chocolate donut with a bite taken out of it. Too tempting. I wanted to taste the icing. Then what? You’d think, after centuries of temptations, I’d learn. Temporary pleasure, long-term suffering. One lick? Not worth it. I forced myself to step away from the trash can and look at Jerry.

“When you have your own business, you’ll have your employees hopping to your command.” He looked down at me, finally reading my t-shirt. The shirt made him laugh as I’d hoped it would.

“You’re a diamond in a rhinestone world? I know that.” He pulled me close. “But have you decided what kind of business you’re aiming for? You’ll need to make a business plan, you know. Start studying the kind of place you want for yourself and learn how it works. What it’ll take to make it a success.”

“It won’t be a topless club, I tell you that.” I kissed his smile. “Can we get out of here? Maybe I should go home and change.”

“You look fine. Come back to my hotel. Your surprise is waiting for you.” He threw open the back door. “I rented a car so I could drive us back. Valdez, you take the back seat. I’m sure you’re used to it.”

“Yes, I am. I hope your surprise isn’t going to make Glory mad. She’s serious about hating surprises.” Valdez followed us out to the car. He had fairy dust on his face from Tiffany’s hug. I thought about teasing him, but he gave me a warning look. “Not a word, Glory. You see how I suffer in this body?”

“Suffer. Right.” I grinned at him. “Poor Valdez. The dancers just won’t leave you alone.” I should have spent the car ride thinking about my surprise. Valdez was right, surprises in my world could be horrifying, but coming from my lover? I wasn’t worried about it. Instead, I had questions buzzing in my brain.

What kind of business did I want? I knew whatever I chose, it had to be open at night. I enjoyed working with the dancers, but I couldn’t see a future there without some serious training. Unfortunately, I had to agree with Donna’s boyfriend’s assessment. I wasn’t graceful and couldn’t imagine years studying dance moves when I’d never be that good at it. No, I needed something more along the lines of a retail store.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Jerry reached for my hand. “I’ll help you do a business plan, if you like. Or is that too much interference?”

“I’m worrying about what I can do with only the nights to play with. How do you manage?” This was a serious concern and I was glad to see Jerry taking me seriously.

“It isn’t easy. I’ve made my money by buying businesses that are already established but are in trouble. I go in and reorganize, fix what’s wrong and turn them around from losers to profitable enterprises. The main thing I have going for me is the luxury of being able to hire good help to cover days. There are smart shifters who understand my limitations as a vampire and take care of the things that can only be handled during daylight hours. Personnel is always a problem.” He glanced back at Valdez. “I still get stung from time to time when people prove to be unreliable and betray my trust.”

My heart sank. It all came down to money. I never had enough and Jerry always had plenty. I stared out at the scenery going past and blinked back tears. I was a failure, one of those losers he’d picked up along the way. He’d found me starving and fed me until I was a plump woman with the curves he liked. He’d even made me vampire when I’d begged him to so he could have me with him forever. I was one of his success stories, now presentable when we were in company. Too bad I wouldn’t just stick with him, his obedient lover.

“Hey! Don’t feel helpless or hopeless.” He reached for my hand. “There are things you can do. I can help you find something. A small business. Yes, you’ll have a limited budget, and you’re going to have to start with something that’s only open nights so you can be there yourself to oversee everything. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find good help. You never know.”

“In other words, what I want to do sounds impossible.” I looked down to where our hands were clasped. His was tan and strong. Mine was pale and feminine. I kept my nails done and they were painted red this week. We couldn’t be more different.

“Not impossible, Gloriana.” He smiled at me. “I’m convinced you can do anything you set your mind to. Who knows you better than I do? You’re a strong woman. Why don’t you believe that?”

“He’s got that right.” Valdez snorted from the back seat. “Look how you survive on your own when this guy’s not around. In this body, I